D1RC at the Just Japs/RPM Show

Mon, 18th June 2012

It was an early one for the D1RC crew, setting up the D1RC portable
track in the main marquee, erecting the HPI flags and banners,
setting up the p.a. system and then our own pit area, and all this
before the public arrived and in scorching hot conditions too. We
were positioned right next to the bar and hot food wagon so
everything pointed to a great day of drifting, and it was!

Breaking In a Brand New Track Surface The D1RC
display team was 10 strong, 8 of our best drivers to perform the
knockout style battles (quarters, semis, finals) with a judge and a
photographer. The track was set out on a new, flat and very dusty
concrete area, not particularly big but large enough to lay a track
that had a long circular sweeper followed by several tight corners
which could be run both clock and anti-clockwise. The plan was to
run two full blown competitions with qualifying and finals with
commentary and music and then to fill in the gaps with formation
drifting. Low Turnout but Dedicated Spectators
Unfortunately, whilst we did our bit admirably, the show didn't and
turnout was low compared to previous years – a sign of the less
prosperous times we find ourselves in, very frustrating. However,
those who did turn up came over to watch the competitions and
stayed for the duration so, as ever, we think we've captured a few
recruits! HPI T-Drift Tyres the Perfect Match
Several of us were running countersteer setups on our cars,
suitable for smaller tracks, which makes the cars very nimble if
well setup - and almost undriveable if not! Fortunately, they all
looked good on track (I was using a rear overdrive ratio of 1.8
times the front drive) and we witnessed back to back very close
battles on our HPI T-Drift control tyres #4406 which, incidentally, proved themselves to
be true all-rounders working just as well on concrete as they do on
tarmac and carpet. After a very hot and tiring day, but one that we
all enjoyed, we went home to clean our wounds, a fine coating of
concrete dust on everything that clung on, resisting all sorts of
cleaning techniques and requiring a complete nut and bolt strip and
the cleaning of every small component and large ones too - radio
gear, pit boxes, the lot! Nevertheless, it was well worth the trip
and we look forward to our next car show opportunity later in the
year. Report by John Turner, Team HPI Racing Photos by Brad Giles,
D1RC